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Dravid is regarded as one of the best batsmen to have played Test cricket, having scored 13288 runs in 164 Tests, at an average of 52.31, including 36 centuries. The veteran batsman pointed out that his 16-year cricketing career was not only about scoring runs or taking catches, but also about visiting new places, playing in different countries and against the top players from around the world.

"I have had a chance over the last three weeks to try and think about what playing for India meant to me; what was this dream; what has it given me? Playing for India gave me the opportunity to travel the world, to play on some of the greatest grounds in the world. In cities and countries that I had only heard of on the radio, listening to radio commentary with my father or waking up in the morning and picking up the newspaper to see what Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, GR Viswanath had done the next day. For me, to have the opportunity to play on these great grounds, to play against some of these greatest players -- players that I had growing up looking upto, it was fantastic. Cricket has given me a lifetime of experiences," he said.

"It has made me give joy to a lot of people by just playing a sport that I love. I have experiences some unbelievable victories and crushing defeats in my career as a first-class cricketer. What I have realised with it is everything does pass, and we can endure and we can survive. Playing for India humbled me. It made me appreciate how lucky I was: to be able to do what I did for so long," the former India captain added.

Dravid also took the opportunity to thank everyone who had been part of his wonderful journey in cricket, ranging from his coaches to the groundstaff who prepared pitches on whichever grounds he played.

"When I look back on this long journey, you recognise that you have been very fortunate, very lucky. You have had the support of so many people who have made this dream possible for me. I truly feel that I have been in...